Emma Kirkby soprano Anthony Rooley lute

Emma Kirkby and Anthony Rooley have worked together for thirty years, firstly in The Consort of Musicke, and more recently as a duo, and their love of communicating with a live audience remains fresh. Emma and Anthony’s programmes and recordings include Honey from the Hive - John Dowland’s Songs and Elizabethan Patronage which explores patronage as Dowland responded to it sometimes with humour, or with pathos, or in narrative, but always with creative dialogue. Also Orpheus and Corinna - The Classical Tradition in Song in England in the 17th Century, the relatively little-known riches of English Song, from an era steeped in classical awareness.

Every occasion, and every audience combines to create something new from this wonderful repertoire.

Sample Programme:

Songs of Joy, Songs of Mourning: English Lute-songs from the Jacobean Era Beautifully expressing the sense that sad music was prized above trivial ‘merry ditties,’ the two halves of this programme provide a complete contrast. The first features John Dowland, belying his melancholy image (indeed, he was described by one contemporary as ‘living a life of lawful merriment’), while the second consists of Coprario’s magnificent song cycle, to words by Campion, upon the untimely death at 18 years of Prince Henry, eldest son of King James the First.

Education:

Masterclasses, workshops and lectures on many aspects of Renaissance and Baroque culture and philosophy.

Recordings:

Honey from the Hive: Songs by John Dowland (1563-1626) BIS SACD-1475
Classical Kirkby: 17th Century English Songs on classical themes BIS CD-1435

Performances:

18 Sep 06 Fressingfield
19 Oct 06 Two Moors Festival
8 Jun 07 St Mary the Virgin, Higham Ferrers
31 Aug 07 St Peter’s Church, Budleigh Salterton

Contact:

Lindsay Richardson, Administrator,
13 Pages Lane, London N10 1PU

Tel: 020 8444 6565
Fax: 020 8444 1008

Email: consort@easynet.co.uk